Tuesday 12 August 2014

BASK - American Hollow (Album Review)

American Hollow cover art

Album Type: Album
Date Released: July 29th 2014
Label: Self Released

American Hollow - track listing:

01 High Mountain Pass 05:18
02 American Hollow 05:32
03 Land of the Sky 08:18
04 Shake the Soot From Your Boots 05:26
05 A Man's Worth 06:47
06 Endless Summer 08:55

Bio

With roots in americana, stoner metal and post-rock, Bask is turning out their own brand of doom. Psychedelic, heavy, and scenic songs weave through sections of driving riffs, thundering percussion, loose grooves and glimmering guitar. All topped with vocals that conjure spirits of old country crooners. That's all you need to know.

Band Members

Jesse. Scott. Ray. Zeb.

Review:

Bask are an unusual beast. Their Facebook description pretty much sums them up:

With roots in Americana, Stoner Metal and Post-Rock, Bask is turning out their own brand of doom. Psychedelic, heavy, and scenic songs weave through sections of driving riffs, thundering percussion, loose grooves and glimmering guitar. All topped with vocals that conjure spirits of old country crooners.”

The vocals are a weird (and pretty cool) mix of old country twang and Neurosis style howling. There is something eerie about this album, it conjures up images of a slow boat making it's way along the Mississippi river, surrounded by a thick mist. That's enough picture painting, I'm rubbish at it.

What really impressed me was the way Bask build tension. I like a good build but some bands take it too far, adding tiny amounts of something for what feels like forever, until they actually get to the point. Bask do this without pissing me off.

The deft amalgamation of pickin' style and metal riffage is a testament to their musical influences and abilities. It's like John 5 decided playing shit music was no longer an option, started a Doom band and found a bunch of equally talented dudes to join him. The only track that was a little too country for me was 'A Man's Worth' (Track 5). I wanted more power, more of the heavy that Bask seem to be bloody good at laying down.

.And drums! The drummer is an animal! Some wonderful rhythmic work throughout. The entire band seem to be able to snake from one direction to another with little or no real effort. Maybe I'm writing this more as a guitarist than a music fan but tough shit.

As the album progresses it begins to lean more and more towards the bands Post-Rock influences, soaring guitars and a lot more emphasis on the cleaner tones (in both guitar and vocals). American Hollow definitely starts in a darker place than it ends up.

If I wasn't given this record to review I may have overlooked it, or not even realised it existed. I'm glad that didn't happen because it's an enjoyable ride, offering something different in a completely saturated little section of the underground metal scene. Bask are good at this, I suggest you get on this slow boat.

Check the Band from Links Below

Bigcartel - You can buy Vinyl from here.

Written by Keeran Williams